RV Mattress Guide: Short Queen, RV King, Bunk & Other Odd Sizes
Everything I've learned about RV mattresses from 20+ years in the mattress industry — including what actually lasts and what ends up at our recycling facility within a year.
My Background With RV Mattresses
I started my career building mattresses on a factory floor, learning firsthand what separates quality construction from cost-cutting shortcuts. For the past 14 years, I've run a mattress recycling company that's now processed over 1.15 million mattresses.
RV mattresses come through our facility constantly. And after seeing thousands of them — both the cheap stock mattresses that fail fast and the quality replacements that last decades — I've learned exactly what works in an RV environment and what doesn't.
This guide covers everything I wish RV owners knew before buying a mattress: the sizing confusion, the material trade-offs for temperature extremes, where to actually find these odd sizes, and the specs that predict whether a mattress will last 2 years or 20.
If you're just looking for replacement options, you can jump straight to where to buy below.
Where to Buy RV Mattresses (In Store & Online) →The stock mattress that comes with RVs ends up being discarded — often within the first year of ownership. The replacement mattress? We might not see that one for 20 years.
When we do finally pick up those replacement mattresses after two decades of use, the owners almost always say the same thing: "This mattress is so good, I actually like sleeping on it more than the mattress in my home."
I think what's really happening is that people are so relieved to have a quality mattress in their RV — after suffering through that terrible stock mattress — that it feels like a luxury. That contrast tells you everything about why the right replacement matters.
Why Stock RV Mattresses Are Barely Mattresses at All
When we tear open stock RV mattresses at our recycling facility, we find what I can only describe as the bare minimum that qualifies as a mattress. I'm talking about foam density below 1.8 lbs per cubic foot — which, from my years building mattresses on a factory floor, I know is the absolute floor for acceptable foam. Quality comfort layers use 3.0-5.0 lb foam. Stock RV mattresses use foam that wouldn't pass muster in the cheapest residential mattress.
The thickness is another giveaway. Most stock RV mattresses run 5-6 inches thick with that low-density foam throughout. By contrast, the replacement mattresses we pick up years later typically run 8-10 inches with noticeably denser, more resilient foam.
Two reasons: cost and weight. RV manufacturers spend roughly $30-50 on your factory mattress — about what they spend on cabinet hardware. Every RV has a weight limit (GVWR), and a quality queen mattress weighs 100-180 lbs. Getting that down to 30-40 lbs while maintaining quality costs money, so they sacrifice quality instead.
The result? Mattresses that feel acceptable in the dealer showroom but develop body impressions within months. We see these stock mattresses arrive at our facility looking like someone carved a person-shaped trench into them.
The RV Mattresses We See Lasting 20+ Years
Here's what's interesting: when we do pick up replacement RV mattresses — the ones people bought to replace that terrible stock mattress — they're often in remarkably good shape even after 15-20 years of use.
Part of this is frequency. Most RV owners aren't sleeping on their RV mattress every night like they do at home. Weekend camping, vacation trips, maybe a few months of snowbirding — the mattress sees a fraction of the use a home mattress gets. But the bigger factor is materials. People who replace their RV mattress usually do their research. They buy quality. And quality materials last.
The Pattern We See at Our Recycling Facility
When someone does replace a quality replacement mattress, it's usually because they're selling the RV or updating everything — not because the mattress failed.
RV Mattress Sizes: What You Actually Need to Know
The sizing situation with RV mattresses confuses a lot of people, so let me break it down based on what we actually see coming through our facility.
Short Queen: The Most Common RV Size
The Short Queen dominates — I'd estimate 60-70% of the RV mattresses we process are Short Queens. The dimensions are either 60" × 74" or 60" × 75" depending on manufacturer. That one-inch difference isn't an error; different manufacturers just use slightly different specs. Always measure your actual bed platform rather than assuming.
The Short Queen exists because standard residential queens are 60" × 80" — five to six inches longer than most RV bedrooms can fit. That space savings makes room for bathroom doors, cabinets, and slide-out mechanisms.
RV King: For Larger Rigs
RV King mattresses measure 72" × 80" — four inches narrower than a standard residential king (76" × 80"). Some manufacturers also make a "Short King" at 72" × 75". We see these primarily from luxury Class A motorhomes and high-end fifth wheels.
RV Bunk Mattresses: The Wild West of Sizing
Bunk mattresses are where sizing gets complicated. We see every dimension imaginable:
- 28" × 75" (narrow bunk)
- 30" × 75" (standard narrow)
- 34" × 75" (wide bunk)
- 35" × 79" (travel trailer standard)
- Plus truck camper bunks with proprietary sizes
If you're replacing a bunk mattress, measure carefully. Don't assume it matches any standard size.
Full Size Reference Chart
| Size | RV Dimensions | Standard Residential | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 28-30" × 75" | 38" × 75" | 8-10" narrower |
| Full | 53" × 75" | 54" × 75" | 1" narrower |
| Short Queen | 60" × 74-75" | N/A | RV-specific |
| Queen | 60" × 80" | 60" × 80" | Same |
| Three-Quarter | 48" × 75" | 48" × 75" | Same |
| RV King | 72" × 80" | 76" × 80" | 4" narrower |
| Short King | 72" × 75" | N/A | RV-specific |
Which RV Types Use Which Sizes
Based on what we pick up:
Larger RVs with standard sizes: Some bigger fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes actually have standard residential mattresses in them. We see these occasionally — it's a nice surprise when the owner can just buy a regular mattress instead of dealing with RV-specific sizing.
Why Memory Foam Is Tricky in an RV (Temperature Matters)
Here's something I always mention to RV owners: be careful with memory foam in an RV environment.
Memory foam's whole thing is that it responds to heat and pressure — it softens and conforms to your body. That's great in a climate-controlled home. In an RV? It can be a problem.
Memory foam works best between 65-75°F. Below about 50°F, it gets hard — really hard. Above 85°F, it gets too soft and loses support.
Think about what happens in a parked RV. Summer afternoon in the desert? Interior hits 120-140°F. That same RV at night in the mountains? Maybe 50°F. Winter storage? Could be freezing. An RV experiences temperature swings that homes never see.
What this means practically: You climb into your RV bed on a cold night, and the memory foam feels like a board. Your body heat eventually softens it, but that can take 15-30 minutes of discomfort. In summer, the opposite — foam so soft you sink right through to the support layer beneath.
Solutions and Alternatives
Gel-infused memory foam helps with heat dissipation in summer (maybe 2-5°F cooler) but doesn't fix cold-weather hardness. The foam still stiffens below 65°F regardless of gel content.
Latex foam is my recommendation for RVs when temperature stability matters. Unlike memory foam, latex maintains consistent firmness from freezing storage through summer heat. The open-cell structure provides natural breathability without relying on body heat to activate. It costs more and weighs more, but eliminates temperature sensitivity entirely.
Hybrid mattresses with coil cores offer temperature stability in the support layer. Metal coils don't change feel with temperature. The foam comfort layers above may show some temperature response, but it's less dramatic than all-foam mattresses.
If you primarily camp in moderate climates with climate control, or only do summer camping, memory foam works fine. But for four-season RVing or storage in temperature extremes, I'd steer toward latex or hybrids. For a deeper comparison of these materials, see my memory foam vs latex guide.
What to Look for in a Replacement RV Mattress
From both building mattresses and seeing what lasts through our recycling facility, here's what actually matters:
Foam Density (The Spec That Predicts Everything)
This is the number manufacturers hide, but it's the single best predictor of mattress lifespan. I've written a detailed guide on support layers that explains why this matters so much:
- Comfort layers: Minimum 3.0 lb/ft³, ideally 4.0-5.0 lb/ft³
- Support base: Minimum 1.8 lb/ft³, ideally 2.0+ lb/ft³
The stock RV mattresses we tear apart run 1.2-1.5 lb foam. The quality replacements that last 20 years? Usually 3.0+ lb comfort layers over 2.0+ lb bases.
Thickness Recommendations
- Full-time RV living: 8-10" with high-density foam
- Regular weekend use: 6-8" with good density
- Occasional use: 6" adequate if materials are quality
Don't chase thickness for its own sake. A well-built 8" mattress with proper foam density will outperform a cheap 12" mattress with low-density foam every time.
Material Selection by Climate
- Variable/extreme temperatures: Latex or hybrid with coil base
- Hot, humid climates: Latex, innerspring, or gel foam with ventilation
- Primarily cold climates: Memory foam actually works here (retains warmth)
- Climate-controlled year-round: Any material works
Corner Cuts and Custom Shapes
RV manufacturers cut mattress corners to maximize floor space, accommodate door swings, and allow storage access. Common modifications include:
- Radius corners: Curved edges with specific radius measurements
- Notched corners: L-shaped cuts for shelving or electrical panels
- Angled corners: Diagonal cuts at various degrees
- Hinged construction: For Murphy beds and fold-out sleeping areas
Measure your bed platform, not your existing mattress. Old mattresses compress unevenly and no longer represent accurate dimensions.
Where to Buy RV Mattresses
I'm not going to recommend specific mattresses for each size — I'll cover those in dedicated articles for Short Queen, RV King, and RV Bunk mattresses. But here are retailers that specialize in RV mattresses:
Online Specialists
In-Store Options
RV-Specific Considerations
Weight Matters More Than You Think
Every pound counts in an RV. A residential king mattress at 150-180 lbs replaced with an RV-specific option at 60-90 lbs frees up 60-120 lbs of cargo capacity. That's meaningful when you're near your weight limit.
Heavier mattresses also complicate under-bed storage access. Most RV beds lift on gas struts sized for the lightweight stock mattress. A substantially heavier replacement might need stronger struts.
Thickness Limits by RV Type
- Class B camper vans 6-8" max
- Class C cab-over beds 5-6" max
- Travel trailer master 8-10" fits
- Fifth wheel slide-out Up to 12"
- Bunk beds 4-6" max
- Murphy beds 5-6" (hinged)
Ventilation Prevents the Mold Problem
Most RV beds sit on solid plywood platforms over storage compartments. Without airflow, body moisture has nowhere to go. Cold storage compartments create temperature differentials that cause condensation on the mattress underside. Within months, mold establishes in the foam — invisible until the damage is severe.
Solutions:
- HyperVent underlays: Woven polymer mesh that elevates the mattress for airflow (~$12/linear foot)
- Ventilation holes: 2.5" diameter holes drilled in the platform
- Prop the mattress: When parked for extended periods, lift one end for air movement
Latex naturally resists mold; memory foam does not. On solid platforms without ventilation, latex significantly outperforms foam for longevity.
Price Ranges and What to Expect
The Bottom Line
The RV mattress market exists because manufacturers treat sleep surfaces as cost centers rather than essential components. That stock mattress is designed to look good in the showroom, not to last.
The good news? A quality replacement transforms RV sleeping. The customers who tell me their RV mattress is more comfortable than their home bed aren't exaggerating their experience — they've just discovered what a proper mattress feels like after suffering through that factory foam.
Budget $400-$700 for most RV owners, consider latex if temperature swings are part of your camping, measure your platform carefully, and add a ventilation underlay if you're on a solid platform. That's the formula for an RV mattress that might outlast the RV itself.